Flex Moulding Installation

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Deco Flex Moulding (Indoors Use Only!)

Spectis Moulders' Deco flex is installed by using a combination of solvent based contact cement and PL Premium Adhesive, applying the contact cement near the outer edges of the ceiling / wall interfaces, and the PL Premium in the interior contact areas. The use of the contact cement allows sufficient time to pass for the PL Premium to cure and take over bonding control.

Installation of Deco Flex can be installed using the following procedure:

Pre-fit each section of product before application of adhesive. Apply contact cement to the contact areas of the moulding and wall/ceiling areas. Once the contact cement has been, allowed to dry, apply the PL Premium to the interior contact edges of the moulding. Install beginning from one end of the moulding and working towards the other. Be sure to have some assistance while doing this. It may be necessary to use nails / screws to aide in supporting the moulding while the PL Premium cures. Make sure the contact cement is used on all running and butt joints.

Once the adhesive is cured, (approx. 2 days) the product can be filled, primed, and painted as per standard quality painting procedures. High quality oil base products only are recommended for good results. Be sure to use a matching primer and top-coat. Note that the oil base product requires more time than usual to become tack free due to the characteristics of the flexible product, but this is not a concern. Be sure to not put any weight on the moulding after it is patched and painted, as it may crack the finish.

Note: Deco Flex is best installed with assistance.

Iron Flex Moulding (Interior/Exterior Use)

Spectis Moulders' Iron Flex is installed using similar methods used to install Spectis' Standard product. Installation of Iron Flex can be installed using the following procedure:

Spectis Iron Flex can be installed over most any clean interior or exterior surface. It should not be installed over wallpaper as the paper may separate or the adhesive may stain the wallpaper.

Moulding which has been stored in "hot" areas must be allowed to "acclimatize" to the location of installation for at least 48 hours prior to installation. (Just as wood requires) Do not install product that has been sitting in a hot trailer or the sun without allowing for this acclimation. Doing so, may result in excessive shrinkage could manifest itself as joint cracks. Moulding stored in cool areas can be installed without product acclimation.

To begin, screw a support border on the wall for the moulding to sit on. (An experienced installer can use a chalk line as a reference) Apply copious amounts of adhesive (PL Premium) to all bedding edges of the moulding and all butt joints. Once the moulding is installed, remove the support border and fill the holes.

Place the moulding on top of the support border and fasten the moulding to the wall and ceiling using #8 low root style wood deck screws, plated for exterior use, and long enough to penetrate well into the substrate. Continue installing lengths of crown using the same method, also applying copious amounts of adhesive on all butt joints and toe screwing the joints together, ensuring the moulding profiles are in alignment.

On smaller mouldings, screw spacing can be as little as 24", but on mouldings over 8" face dimension, screw spacing should be approximately 12" on both the ceiling and wall interfaces. Make sure the screws are sunk in the surface of the moulding, as it is necessary to fill in the screw holes with exterior grade, non-shrinking, sandable, and paintable filling products such as automotive grade "bondo". (See "Finishing" Section on page 191)

Recommendations

Before any adhesive is applied, cut and fit each piece of moulding. Use standard woodworking tools when working with Spectis Iron Flex. The use of a miter box will ensure that the cuts are made with the correct angles and remove any guesswork trying to figure out table and blade angles on a miter saw. (See page 195 for How to Construct a Miter Box)

It is possible to install moulding by two separate methods. The first is to begin installing moulding in the most inconspicuous corner, and work around the room in sequence until all the moulding is installed. (Keep in mind that the it may not be possible to have the pattern match at the last joint or corner) The second method is to install short, prefabricated corner elements and run straight moulding between them, which can reduce the difficulty in making good miter joints on long moulding sections. However, the later procedure does not work well with mouldings, which have repeating profiles.

It may be necessary to install extra blocking behind the moulding for additional support, especially on large crowns, where it is not possible to screw directly to the wall.

Although every attempt is made at the factory to ensure all moulding match end to end, it is necessary to check all moulding for thickness variations. It may be necessary to remove material on some edges or add wedges on other sections for good face alignment. Tighten screws in a sequence, which allows for good alignment.

It may be necessary to "toe screw" moulding joints together for good alignment.

Excess adhesive should be removed immediately. Once cured, it will be necessary to use a knife to remove the adhesive. Wedges can be trimmed or removed once the adhesive has stiffened.

The product comes from the factory ready to accept primer and paint. (see Finishing section) Once the adhesive is cured, (approximately 24-48 hours), finish the installation by filling all screw holes, caulking, priming and painting the product as per the Finishing section. Be sure to select the proper grade for the installation, exterior or interior. High gloss and dark colored products are not recommended since any imperfection in the installation or product will be easily visible.

It is necessary to use copious amounts of PL Premium adhesive on all bedding edges and joints for warranty to be valid.